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India is a culture-rich, tradition-bound, and age-old belief-nurturing country, most of which exists in the form of superstitions. Ranging from shunning the path of a black cat crossing to displaying lemon and chillies at the doorstep, these are deeply ingrained in everyday life. Be it an eye twitch or sneezing on the way out, these sorts of beliefs regulate choices and actions all over the country. While some write them off as myth, others adhere to them staunchly.

Here in this article, we discuss seven of the most well-known Indian superstitions and the probable reasons or conventional logic behind these practices that still influence day-to-day life even today.

7 Popular Superstitions In India And The Reason Behind Them

1. Crossing Paths with a Black Cat Is Considered Unlucky

The superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck is not only found in India but also in the West. Its roots go back to ancient Egypt, where black cats were believed to be malevolent. In India, black is usually associated with Lord Shani, a god of adversity. It is thought that when a black cat walks in front of you, you wait for someone else to go before you, so they take on the bad luck instead of you.

2. One Rupee Is Always Tacked On To Gift Amounts

In India, it's a common practice to gift amounts such as 101 Rupees or 1,001 Rupees at weddings or other special occasions rather than round figures. The added one rupee is considered a token of blessings, love and good fortune. More significantly, it makes the amount an odd, indivisible number, representing continuity rather than culmination. A round figure that ends with a zero is believed to signify finish or 'the end', which is not quite suitable for beginnings such as marriage. Thus, that lone coin holds heavy emotional and symbolic significance.

3. Sweeping In The Evening Is Inauspicious

Sweeping one's home late in the evening is considered inauspicious in Indian culture. This is because it is said to chase away Goddess Lakshmi, who brings prosperity and wealth. As she is also believed to enter a home post-sunset, sweeping then would drive her away symbolically, and thus it is inauspicious. This superstition probably began to avoid accidentally dumping valuables in dim light, but it continues to be observed widely even now for religious and traditional purposes.

indian-superstitions-logics

India, being a culturally and traditionally rich nation, has an abundance of superstitions as well. From twitching eyes to broken mirrors, bad luck is always believed to ensue. These things have become a part of daily life and influence many customs and cultural aspects. (Image Source: Canva)

4. Lemon And 7 Green Chillies Hung Outside Shops

It is common in India for shopkeepers to hang a lemon along with seven green chillies outside the entrance of their stores to keep misfortune away. Alakshmi, the goddess of bad luck, is said to have a liking for sour and spicy food. These things are placed at the entrance to satisfy her hunger, and let her depart without entering the store. This ritual is believed to ward off bad energy and financial issues from the business. Although based on superstition, many still practice it in the belief that it will maintain success and prosperity.

5. Eye Twitching Brings Good Or Bad Luck

The interpretation of eye twitching depends on which eye twitches and the gender of the person. For males, a twitching in the right eye means good luck or success in the near future, while the left eye indicates bad news. For females, it's the reverse—the left eye twitch is auspicious, and the right is unfavourable. This is based on ancient astrology and superstition, in which body movements are believed to provide subtle hints regarding future occurrences or concealed energies. However, eye twitching has a number of scientific reasons that include stress, tiredness, drinking alcohol, eye strain, allergy or dryness.

6. Breaking a Mirror Brings Seven Years of Bad Luck

The superstition that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck originated in ancient Rome. Mirrors at that time were rare and breakable and to avoid being careless, individuals propagated the thought of bad fortune as a precaution. Romans also believed that an individual's reflection contained part of their soul, and as they believed life is renewed every seven years, breaking a mirror meant harming one's soul and health, which would take seven years to recover. This superstition then spread extensively and continues to exist in many cultures today.

7. Avoid Going Near a Peepal Tree In The Evening

A popular Indian superstition asks people not to walk near a Peepal tree in the evening, as it is believed that ghosts reside there and hurt you. Logically, the reason for this superstition lies in the fact that trees, including Peepal, emit carbon dioxide during the night because there is no photosynthesis. Inhalation near them in poorly ventilated areas could result in discomfort or illness. Nevertheless, this does not kill, as animals rest comfortably under trees. The ghost hypothesis probably developed as a cautionary tale from genuine but mild effects on health.

 

(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)


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